Aerodynamic ventilated protective garment

ABSTRACT

An aerodynamic ventilated protective garment particularly for wear by operators, occupants, and passengers of sports motor vehicles, such as motorcycles for example, includes a garment body which may be configured as a jacket or coat, and which includes a ventilated aerodynamic aid on the back of the garment immediately behind the wearer&#39;s head. Ordinarily, the wearer of the garment will also be wearing a helmet during operation of the vehicle, and the aerodynamic aid of the garment both improves and smooth airflow transition from the wearer&#39;s helmet and over the back of the garment when the vehicle is in motion at speed, as well as providing a welcome ventilating airflow into the garment. Further, the garment may include an especially configured vent structure at sleeves of the garment, which vent structure provides for selective opening of a vent passage, while also insuring against the sleeves sliding up the wearer&#39;s arms in the event of a fall from the moving vehicle followed by a tumble and slide on gravel or pavement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an aerodynamic ventilatedprotective garment which may take the form of a jacket or coat. Thegarment is especially configured and structured for wear by individualswho are riding on or operating open-air sport motor vehicles, such asmotorcycles, dune buggies, ATV's, ATC's, and perhaps even open-airaircraft, such as ultra-light aircraft. These operators and passengersare subjected to the elements, need physical protection for theirperson, desire to not be buffeted or to have their garments “balloon” orto flap in the high speed air flow caused by movement of their vehicle,and also desire an adequate ventilation air flow during warm-weather andhot-weather conditions. Also, these operators and passengers of open-airsport motor vehicles generally desire to obtain the best possibleperformance from their sport vehicles, and reducing aerodynamic drag isan important consideration in realizing this desire. Further, suchoperators and passengers in many cases will be wearing a protectivecrash helmet, and the airflow caused by the movement of the vehicle willflow about this helmet. In many cases, the airflow about a passenger'sor operator's helmet and outer garment causes turbulence, whichundesirably buffets the person and increases aerodynamic drag.

[0003] 2. Related Technology

[0004] Operators of motorcycles and other sports motor vehicles havelong sought to protect themselves from injury in the event of a mishap,such as a fall from a moving motorcycle and subsequent slide on gravelor pavement. Thus, it is seen that protection from impact and abrasionare both important to operators of such sport motor vehicles.Competition motorcycle riders have commonly worn full “leathers”, whichare a full cover-all type of leather suit, many having built in panelsof cushioning or protective body armor, or abrasion resistant panels.Such a full leather suit can provide good protection from both impactand abrasion.

[0005] However, in cool weather, a leather motorcycle riding suit can bechilly to wear. Leather by itself does not provide very good insulation.On the other hand, in warm weather, the full leather motorcycle ridingsuit can be very warm to wear as leather does not allow much ventilationby itself. Consequently, for warm-weather wear, such “leathers” made toinclude perforated leather panels have been available. But, leathersmade to include perforated leather are not at all suitable for wearduring cold riding conditions. Consequently, these “racing styleleathers”, are generally made for the particular conditions under whichthey are to be used, and are not practical for wear by the streetmotorcycle rider and for other operators and passengers on open-airsport motor vehicles who encounter widely varying environmentalconditions.

[0006] Further, operators of high performance competition motorcycleshave long used aerodynamic aids on their motorcycles and on their racingapparel to reduce buffeting and to improve air flow over the rider'shelmet and leathers. These aerodynamic aids have included such things asvarious configurations of fairings on the motorcycles (even extending tothe full “dust bin” type of motorcycle fairings), fins, scoops, andwinglets on the motorcycle fairings, and also fins and air scoops on therider's helmet.

[0007] In particular, one aerodynamic expedient or aid that has beenused on the apparel of competition motorcycle riders is an aerodynamic“hump structure” disposed on the back of the rider's leathers andimmediately behind the rider's helmet when the rider is in the positionoccupied when at speed on the motorcycle. This aerodynamic “humpstructure” helps reduce aerodynamic drag, and reduces buffeting of therider by smoothing airflow over the helmet, and by smoothing airflowrearwardly from the helmet along the back of the leathers at speed. Suchan aerodynamic “hump structure” has not heretofore been used on apparelfor street motorcycle riders.

[0008] Particularly, the competition type of aerodynamic hump structure,while advantageous aerodynamically, is very hot for the rider in warmweather. That is, there is no ventilation provided, and the smoothairflow over the rider's helmet and leathers may actually make it moredifficult for the rider to achieve adequate ventilation, and to remaincool, dry, and mentally fresh during warm riding conditions.Consequently, competition riders have complained of being sweaty, overheated, and fatigued because of such lack of ventilation of their racingapparel. But, competition riders still continue to use this apparelbecause of its advantages in competition.

[0009] For the street motorcycle rider, such considerations would ruleout the use of the aerodynamic hump structure on the rider's apparel.Nevertheless, street motorcycle riders have favored various leatherjackets and coats because of the abrasion resistance provided by theleather in the event of a spill from the moving motorcycle. Many ofthese jackets traditionally do not have any form of body armor for therider. Some have no particular provision for ventilation to the rider inwarm and hot weather. Particularly in hot weather, leather apparel canbe uncomfortably warm to wear. However, even in hot weather somemotorcycle riders endure the discomfort of a leather jacket, not becauseit is needed for protection from the elements, but because of concernsfor personal safety and survival in the event of a spill from the streetmotorcycle at any speed.

[0010] On the other hand, in hot weather some cavalier motorcycle riderspartially or fully open the front zipper or snaps of their jacket inorder to allow the moving air stream to rush in. Such an expedientsdecreases the effective protection level afforded by the leather jacketof coat. That is, this expedient is very unsafe because it allows thejacket to billow or whip in the air stream, possibly compromising therider's ability to control the vehicle, and certainly contributing torider fatigue after a period of being subjected the whipping leatherjacket. Fatigue and the resulting decrease in the rider's situationalawareness may be a contributing factor in many motorcycle accidents.Importantly, in the event of a spill, an open jacket or coat is morelikely to slide up the wearer's torso, and provide little or noprotection against abrasion. And, an open front zipper can allow stonesto enter the jacket during a fall and slide.

[0011] Some motorcycle jackets even include cuff openings on thesleeves, and some riders leave these openings unsecured during warmweather in order to obtain some ventilation. Open cuffs are also verydangerous because the sleeves of the jacket of coat may slide up theforearms during a fall and slide, allowing the forearms to be badlyabraded by the gravel or pavement along which the individual may besliding after a fall from the moving vehicle.

[0012] So to, street motorcycle riders generally wish to enjoy themaximum possible performance from their motorcycle, while still beingable to ride in a widely varying environment encountered by the streetrider, and not having to purchase a wide variety of different garmentsfor wear under varying conditions. Thus, the designer of apparel for thestreet rider is faced with a daunting set of requirements.

[0013] Over some time in the past, leather and fabric jackets and coatswith provisions for ventilation while closed and still providingadequate protection to the wearer have been developed. Examples ofleather coats and jackets which are conventional are seen in U.S. Pat.No. 4,608,715, issued Sep. 2, 1986 to Richard Miller and John Wyckoff;in U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,715, issued Apr. 21, 1992 to Paul Golde, and inU.S. Pat. No. 5,507,042, issued Apr. 16, 1996 to Michael van derSlessen. German patent publication No. DE 3818-566-A1 published Dec. 7,1989, provides another example of this conventional approach toproviding protection and ventilation to riders of motorcycles. U.S. Pat.No. 5,845,336 provides an example of a fabric jacket or coat that wellsuits the wide range of requirements for a street motorcycle rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of the deficiencies of the related technology, a primaryobject of this invention is to avoid one or more of these deficiencies.

[0015] More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide aprotective garment for wear by operators and occupants of sport vehicle,which will provide physical protection to the wearer, provides adequateand adjustable ventilation for fair and hot days, and also has provisionfor smoothing the airflow over the rider's helmet and along the rider'sback at speed.

[0016] Accordingly, the present invention according to one aspectprovides an aerodynamic protective garment, the garment comprising: agarment shell having a front panel and a back panel cooperativelyproviding a neck opening, a pair of sleeves, one for each of thewearer's arms, a generally vertically extending opening dividing thefront panel into two parts and allowing ingress and egress from thegarment; and an aerodynamic hump structure carried on the back panel anddefining a ventilation passage extending between ambient and theinterior of the garment shell.

[0017] Accordingly, the present invention according to another aspectpresents a method of providing both ventilation to an operator of anopen-air sport motor vehicle while the operator is wearing a protectivecoat, and of providing exigent support to the head and neck of theoperator in the event of an accident by providing rear support to ahelmet of the operator, the method comprising steps of: providing thecoat at a back panel thereof with a hump structure having a forwardlydisposed arcuate concave engagement surface disposed sufficiently closeto the helmet of the operator that the helmet is engageable with theengagement surface to be supported against excessive rearward movementof the operator's head and neck in an accident, and providing the humpstructure with a through ventilation passage opening at an outer end ina forwardly disposed ventilating air flow scoop, and extending inwardlyof the coat through the hump structure.

[0018] A better understanding of the present invention will be obtainedfrom reading the following description of a several preferred exemplaryembodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theappended drawing Figures, in which the same features (or featuresanalogous in structure or function) are indicated with the samereference numeral throughout the several views. It will be understoodthat the appended drawing Figures and description here following relateonly to one or more exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention,and as such, are not to be taken as implying a limitation on theinvention. No such limitation on the invention is implied, and none isto be inferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0019]FIG. 1 provides a perspective frontal view of a motorcycle riderwearing a garment in the form of a coat embodying the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the rider seen inFIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 2a is a fragmentary side elevation view partially in crosssection of a portion of the garment seen on the rider in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0022]FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively provide rear and front elevation viewsof the garment seen in the preceding Figures;

[0023]FIG. 5 provides a fragmentary elevation view of an alternativeembodiment of a garment embodying the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken at line 6-6 ofFIG. 5;

[0025]FIG. 7 provides a fragmentary side elevational view similar tothat of FIG. 2a, but illustrating the alternative embodiment of theinvention of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation view similar to that ofFIG. 7, but showing a closure member fitted to the garment;

[0027] FIGS. 9-11 are fragmentary views of the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1-3, and 4, with a venting cuff structurerespectively shown in closed, opened, and ventilating configurations;and

[0028] FIGS. 12-14 are fragmentary views of an alternative embodiment ofthe invention, with a venting cuff structure respectively shown inclosed, opened, and ventilating configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Viewing first FIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction, a motorcycle rider 10is seen riding a motorcycle 12. Because of the speed of forward movement(indicated by arrow 14) of the motorcycle, the rider 10 is subjected toa moving air stream relatively moving in the rearward direction (as isindicated on FIGS. 1 and 2 by arrow 16). The rider 10 is wearing ahelmet 18, and in addition to boots and gloves (not referenced on thedrawing Figures) is also wearing a protective garment 20, which in thiscase takes the form of a coat or long jacket. It will be understood thatthe invention is not limited to its use by motorcycle riders, and thatother operators and occupants of sports motor vehicles may benefit fromthe use of this invention. Further, the invention is not limited toembodiment in a jacket or coat, and may find embodiment in a fullcover-all type of riding suit, for example.

[0030] In the particular case illustrated in FIG. 1, the rider 10 isalso wearing protective gloves, boots, and a helmet 18 (not all of whichare individually referenced in FIG. 1), and this protective apparel isimportant to the rider in the event of an unplanned fall from the movingmotorcycle. The rider 10 may be wearing a pair of heavy denim jeans,leather pants, or other protective pants, as well. While this protectiveapparel is important to the rider 10 in the event of a fall from themotorcycle, it can also undesirably contribute to overheating of therider during warm weather riding conditions, or even during moderateweather conditions. Thus, ventilation of the apparel of the rider 10 isan important consideration in providing comfort to the rider and inkeeping the rider mentally fresh and well able to operate the vehicle10.

[0031] As is seen in FIG. 1, and as is further illustrated and explainedbelow by reference to FIG. 4, the garment (i.e., jacket) 20 includes afront panel 20 f, which is in two parts, with the parts cooperativelydefining a central generally vertical opening 20 o. The central opening20 o is conventionally secured closed by the use of a zipper, andpossibly by plural snaps as well (not referenced in the drawingFigures), thus allowing this opening to be opened to allow the jacket 20to be put on and taken off. The garment 20 also includes a rear panel 20r, and is provided with sleeves 22 r and 22 l (for “right” and “left”)each having a cuff 24 with a cuff closure structure 24 a, and anassociated forearm sleeve ventilation structure 26. It is to be notedthat the cuff closure structure 24 a is similar to the opening 20 o inthat it can be opened to allow the jacket to be put on and taken off.Thus, the closure structure 24 a may include, for example, a strapsecured by snap, or secured by matching patches of hook-and-loopfastener material, as will be further explained.

[0032] In FIG. 1, and on the right sleeve 22 r of FIG. 4, the sleeveventilation structure 24 a is opened, so that an underlying perforate(i.e., air permeable) panel 24 b is exposed, and it will be understoodthat the air stream 16 drives ventilation air flow into the sleeve 22 ofthe jacket 20 via this open sleeve ventilation structure. That is, theforearm sleeve ventilation structure 26 is disposed on the innerforwardly exposed portion of the forearms of rider 10. On the leftsleeve 22 l of jacket 20 it is seen that the sleeve ventilationstructure 26 is closed, as will be further explained. As is shown onboth sleeves, the cuff closure structure 24 a is closed, and the cuff 24is thus secure against sliding up the rider's forearm in a slide alongthe ground. On the other hand, it is important to note the significanceof the forearm location of the ventilation structure 26. Because of theforward location of the ventilation structure 26 along the forearms ofthe rider 10, that ventilating air that enters the structure 26 flowsupwardly and rearwardly along the greater portion of the rider's arms,and provides significant cooling to the rider's arms. Further, this airthen flows into the main body of the jacket 20, further contributing tocooling of the rider 10.

[0033] Further to the above, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate that the jacket 20includes a ventilated aerodynamic hump structure 28 on the rear of thejacket 10 immediately behind the rider's helmet 18 in the position therider occupies on the motorcycle 12 at speed. That is, viewing FIG. 2,(and is illustrated by the stream line arrows 16 a) at speed, the airstream 16 flows around the rider's helmet 18 and flows rearwardly alongthe back of the jacket 20. The aerodynamic hump structure 28 smoothesair flow over the helmet 18 and smoothes the airflow transition fromflow about the helmet 18 and onto the back of the jacket 20. Thisventilated hump structure 28 defines a forwardly disposed arcuate recess28 a, disposed toward the rear of the rider's helmet 18, and in theposition seen in FIG. 2, spaced only slightly away from the helmet 18.

[0034] Further, as can best be appreciated viewing FIG. 2, in the eventof a fall of the rider 10 from the motorcycle 12, the presence of thehump structure 28 immediately behind the rider's helmet 18 can assist inpreventing hyper-reflexion of the rider's neck. That is, the helmet 18will contact the front of the hump structure 28 at the recess 28 a, andbe supported so that the rider's neck is supported in opposition tobeing subjected to hyper-reflexion.

[0035]FIG. 2a illustrates that the hump structure 28 is formedprincipally by a flexible but rather stiff and shape-retaining foam core30, which is secured to the back panel 20 r of the jacket 20. This foamcore is covered with a similarly shaped portion of material 32, whichmaterial may be the same as or different from the material of the backpanel 20 r of the jacket 20. The material 32 is preferably secured tothe back panel of the jacket 20 by stitching, not seen in the drawingFigures, and thus holds the core 30 in place as well. In order toprovide for ventilation through the hump structure 28, this structurecarries at least one forwardly opening scoop 34. The scoop 34 defines anopening 34 a, which may be spanned by a fine screen 36 in order toprevent insects and small gravel from entering the scoop. The scoop 34receives a portion of the air flow 16, as is indicated by arrow 16 b.This scoop 34 also defines a passage 34 b leading from the opening 34 atoward the foam core 30. Aligning with the passage 34 b of the scoop 34,the foam core 30 defines a through passage 30 a, which is preferablydivergent to provide diffusion of the air flow 16 b to a lower speed andhigher pressure as it moves along this passage. The passage 30 a leadsto a ventilation opening 20 v defined by the rear panel 20 r of thejacket 20. This opening 20 v leads through the rear panel 20 r, and intothe space between the rear panel 20 r and an air permeable liner 38 ofthe jacket 20. Thus, when the motorcycle is moving at speed and therider 10 is in a position allowing the scoop 34 exposure to the air flow16, a portion of this air flow is brought into the jacket 20 via thehump structure 28 and via the scoop 34, passage 34 b, passage 30 a, andventilation opening 20 v.

[0036] Returning now to a consideration of FIGS. 1, and 9-11, it is seenthat the sleeve ventilation structure 26 in this embodiment is formed bya single lengthwise extending slit 26 a, running from the cuff 24partially upwardly along the forearm portion of each sleeve 22 r and 22l (only one sleeve 22 l being illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the othersleeve 22 r being a mirror image), along the forward and inner aspect ofthese sleeves. The slits 26 a are each selectably closed by acombination of the respective cuff closure 24 a and a slide fastener(i.e., a zipper in this embodiment, although the invention is not solimited) 40 having a pair of oppositely disposed and acting zipper pulls(or slide members) 40 a and 40 b. The cuff closure 24 a includes a strapor tab 42 spanning across this slit 26 a at the cuff 24. The strap ortab 42 is secured to the opposite side of the cuff (i.e., on theopposite side of the slit 26 a) by a securing member 44, such as by asnap or by a patch of hook-and-loop fastener, for example.

[0037] On the left sleeve 22 l as seen in FIGS. 4 and 9, both the cuffclosure 24 a and the zipper 40 are closed (by having the zipper pulls 40a and 40 b both at opposite ends of this zipper, so that ventilating aircannot enter the sleeve vent structure 26. On the other hand, on theright sleeve 22 r seen in FIGS. 4 and 11, the cuff closure 24 a isclosed, but the sleeve vent structure 26 is partially opened by havingthe upper zipper pull 40 b slid partially downwardly along the zipper 40toward the lower pull 40 a. This position of the zipper pull 40 bresults in the upper portion of slit 26 a being allowed to gap open.This gapping open of the upper portion of the slit 26 a is controlledhowever, and is limited in extent by a combination of structures. On theone hand, the lower extent of the slit 26 a is closed at the cuff 24 bycuff closure 24 a. The lower portion of the slit 26 a is still closed bythe lower portion of zipper 40, dependent upon the position of lowerzipper pull 40 a. And, the extent of opening or gapping open of the slit26 a is determined by a v-shaped, perforate, air permeable panel 46spanning across the slit 26 and secured to the material of the sleeve 22on each side of this slit. The panel 46 may be made of perforateleather, or may be made of a woven or knitted material having asufficiently open mesh as to allow air to permeate therethrough.Alternatively, the panel 46 may utilize a fabric panel that is knittedor woven so at to provide plural evenly spaced openings in the form of amesh. The v-shape of the panel 46 is secured to the respective sleeve 22with a narrow end of the v-shape adjacent to the upper extent of theslit 26 a, and with a wider portion of the panel adjacent to the cuff24, so that this cuff can open to allow the jacket 20 to be put on andtaken off, as is to be further described.

[0038] It will thus be understood that the forearm sleeve ventilationstructure 26 can also be opened by partially or full sliding the lowerzipper pull 40 a upwardly along the sleeve 22 toward the upper pull 40b. This results in an opening being created along slit 26 a from thelower end thereof. Thus, it will be understood that dependent on thewishes of the rider 10, the zipper pulls 40 a and 40 b can be slidpartially or full toward one another along the slit 26 a to open a lowerextent, an upper extent, or both a lower extent and an upper extent ofthe slit 26 a, with the zipper pulls either spaced slightly apart orbeing fully together somewhere intermediate of the ends of the slit 26a. In this way, the rider 10 has a great deal of flexibility andadjustability in the area and location of ventilation opening oropenings created at the slit 26 a on each sleeve of the jacket dependentupon the selected locations chosen for the zipper pulls 40 a and 40 b.

[0039]FIG. 10 illustrates that the upper zipper pull can be moved to theupper extent of the zipper 40 (closing the zipper), while the lowerzipper pull 40 a is also moved partially or fully up the zipper 40(opening the zipper), at the same time that the cuff closure 24 a isopened (i.e., by releasing the securing member 44). Thus, the cuff 24 isopened enough to allow the rider 10 to easily put on or take off thejacket 20. It is to be noted however, that so long as the cuff 24 isclosed by closure structure 24 a, and even with the vent structure 26open, the rider 10 is protected against having the sleeves 22 slide upalong the rider's forearms in the event of a fall and slide. This is thecase because the cuffs 24 remain secured about the riders'wristsregardless of whether the vent structure 26 is opened or closed.Further, in the event that the vent structure 26 is open during a falland slide, the perforate panel 46 both limits the extent to which theslit 26 a may gap open, and prevents gravel from entering the slit.Understandably, the rider would not want gravel inside of the jacketwith him during such a slide after a fall from the motorcycle.

[0040] Turning now to FIGS. 5-8, these Figures fragmentarily illustratean alternative embodiment of the jacket 20 that is the same as thatillustrated and described above with the exception of the distinctionsand differences illustrated and described below. Because of thesimilarities between the embodiment of FIGS. 1, and 9-11, and that ofFIGS. 5-8, features which are the same or which are analogous instructure or function to those described above are referenced using thesame numeral used above, and having one-hundred (100) added.

[0041] Viewing now FIGS. 5-8, and particularly FIG. 5, it is seen thatthe back panel 120 r of a jacket 120 is illustrated. This back panel 120r carries an aerodynamic hump structure 128. Again, this hump structure128 is formed principally by a flexible but rather stiff andshape-retaining foam core 130, which is in this case is removablysecured to the back panel 120 r of the jacket 120. The foam 130 core iscovered with a similarly shaped portion of material 132, which materialmay be the same as or different from the material of the back panel 120r of the jacket 120. In this case, the material 132 is not stitched tothe back panel of the jacket 120, but includes an outwardly extendingperipheral flange or flap 48. This flap 48 extends in this embodimententirely about the periphery of and is part of the aerodynamic humpstructure 128. As is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hump structure 128is secured to the back panel 120 r of the jacket 120 by a pair ofzippers 50 and 52 cooperatively circumscribing the foam core 130. Thatis, a first zipper 50 extends arcuately across a front aspect of thecore 130 from a first end indicated by the arrow 50 a to a second endindicated by arrow 50 b. This zipper has elongate track or teethportions that are joined when the zipper pull is at the locationindicated by arrow 50 a, and which are separable from one another whenthe zipper pull is moved to the position indicated by arrow 50 b.Similarly, a second zipper 52 extends arcuately from a first endindicated by the arrow 52 a to a second end indicated by arrow 52 b.Again, and similarly, the second zipper 52 has elongate track or teethportions that are joined when the zipper pull is at the locationindicated by arrow 52 a, and which are separable from one another whenthe zipper pull is moved to the position indicated by arrow 52 b. Aswill be understood, one of the elongate zipper track portions or teethportions of each zipper 50 and 52 is secured to the aerodynamic humpstructure 128, while the mating portion of the zipper is secured to theback panel 20 r of the jacket 20.

[0042] Again, in order to provide for ventilation through theaerodynamic hump structure 128, this structure carries at least oneforwardly opening scoop 134. The scoop 134 defines an opening 134 areceiving a portion of the air flow 116, as is indicated by arrow 116 b.This scoop 134 also defines a passage 134 b leading from the opening 134a toward a through passage 130 a defined by the foam core 130. Thepassage 130 a leads to a ventilation opening 120 v defined by the rearpanel 120 r of the jacket 120. In this embodiment, the ventilationopening 120 v may be quite large, so that ventilating air is presentedto the liner 138 of the jacket over a considerable area. This wide areacoverage of the ventilating air favorably contributes to keeping therider cool without creating an uncomfortable “cold” spot.

[0043] However, as will be appreciated in view of the explanation above,the aerodynamic hump structure 128 is removable from the rear panel 120r of the jacket 20 by moving the zipper pulls of zippers 50 and 52 tothe locations indicated by arrows 50 b and 52 b, and then disengagingthe zipper tracks or zipper teeth portions from one another. Thisresults in the aerodynamic hump structure 128 being removed from thejacket 120. The hump structure 128 is, of course, capable of beingreinstalled on the jacket 120 by actions in the reverse of the removalactions just explained. However, it is also clear that once the humpstructure 128 is removed from the jacket 120, this jacket is left with arather large opening 120 v through the rear panel 120 r, and opening tothe liner 138 of the jacket. In order to provide a closure for thisopening 120 v when the wearer of the jacket wishes to use the jacketwithout the aerodynamic hump structure 128, this embodiment provides fora closure member 54 to be zipped onto the jacket in the same way as thehump structure 128 would be. That is, the closure member 54 is shapedlike the hump structure 128 in plan view (i.e., in rear elevation viewof the jacket), but does not include a hump or ventilation openings.Again, in elevation view, as is seen in FIG. 8, the member 54 issubstantially flat. This closure member 54 includes zipper tracks orteeth portions 54 a and 54 b just like those on the hump structure,which are engageable with the portion of the zippers 50 and 52 securedto the jacket 120, and are disposed under a covering peripheral flap 56.In this case, the peripheral flap portion 56 is a peripheral portion ofthe closure member 54 outwardly of the zipper portions 54 a and 54 b.When the closure member 54 is secured to the jacket, the opening 120 vis closed by this closure member, and the zippers 50 and 52 areconcealed by the flap 56. Preferably, the closure member is made toinclude matching surface colors and possibly matching graphics to theback panel 120 r of the jacket 120. Thus, when the closure member 54 isin place on the jacket 120, the jacket appears much as a conventionaljacket would appear from the back.

[0044] Finally, turning now to FIGS. 12-14, taken in conjunction withone another, yet another alternative embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated, and will be described in enabling detail below. Thisembodiment also shares many features with the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 9-11 above, so features which are the same as or which areanalogous in structure or function to those illustrated above arereferenced on FIGS. 12-14 using the same numeral used above andincreased by one-hundred (100). Viewing FIGS. 12-14 it is seen that thesleeve cuff closure 124 a, and the sleeve ventilation structure 126, arein this embodiment are each formed by a respective and separate one of apair of lengthwise extending slits 126 a and 126 b, one (126 a) runningacross the cuff 124 and partially upwardly along the forearm portion ofeach sleeve 122 r and 122 l (only the left sleeve 122 l being seen inFIGS. 12-14), and the other (126 b) running from the cuff 124 upwardlyalong the forward and inner aspect of the sleeve. It is seen that theslit 126 b does not open through the cuff 124. That is, the slit 126 bis dead ended, and ends at one end at about the cuff 124, and ends atits other end intermediate of the length of the respective sleeve 122.The slits 126 a and 126 b are spaced circumferentially apart from oneanother.

[0045] The slits 126 a and 126 b are each selectably opened and closedaccording to the wished of the rider 110. That is, the slit 126 a isclosed by a respective cuff closure 124 a including a strap or tab 142and a fastening member 144, along with a slide fastener 58 (i.e., azipper in this embodiment, although the invention is not so limited).This zipper 58 has only a single zipper pull (or slide member) 58 a,which closes the slit 126 a when it is adjacent to the cuff, and whichopens this slit as it is moved fully upwardly along the slit 126 a awayfrom the cuff. As is seen in FIG. 13, when the cuff closure 124 a isopened then the slit 126 a is open along its length to allow the rider110 to easily put on or take off the jacket 120.

[0046] At the other slit 126 b, the sleeve vent structure 126 is openedor closed dependent upon the wishes of the rider 110. That is, thesleeve vent structure 126 is partially or fully opened by having thezipper pull 140 a slid partially or fully along the zipper 140 towardthe opposite end of the zipper 140. The zipper 140 may have the zipperpull 140 disposed either in the upper position when this zipper isclosed, or the zipper pull 140 may be disposed at the lower end of thiszipper when the zipper is closed. In either case, the rider 110 canpartially or fully open the forearm sleeve ventilation structure 126 bymoving the zipper pull 140 a partially or fully to the opposite end ofits travel. As is seen in FIG. 14, when the rider 110 opens the sleeveventilation structure 126, the gapping open of the slit 126 b iscontrolled by a perforate panel 146 spanning across this slit andsecured to the material of the sleeve 122 at opposite sides of thisslit. In this case, the perforate panel 146 is preferably canoe-shaped(i.e., with convergent or pointed ends) to allow the slit to open but tohelp carry stresses at the ends of this slit.

[0047] In view of the above, it is to be noted that the forearm sleeveventilation structures disclosed above provide ventilation and air flowalong essentially the full length of the arm of the wearer of thejacket. That is, if desired, the wearer can achieve ventilating air flowfrom just above the cuff of the jacket upwardly along the arm and intothe body of the jacket. On the other hand, the wearer can shut off thisventilating air flow when desired by closing the vent structure.Similarly, the ventilated aerodynamic hump structure provides forventilation of the jacket and both improves air flow along the back ofthe jacket to reduce buffeting, and also offers improved protection tothe wearer in the event of a fall by offering support to the helmet sothat the rider's head is less likely to be flexed backwardly to anexcessive extent.

[0048] While the present invention has been depicted, described, and isdefined by reference to a single particularly preferred embodiment ofthe invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on theinvention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention iscapable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents inform and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in thepertinent arts. The depicted and described preferred embodiment of theinvention is exemplary only, and is not exhaustive of the scope of theinvention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only bythe spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance toequivalents in all respects.

I claim:
 1. An aerodynamic protective garment, said garment comprising: a garment shell having a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening, a pair of sleeves, one for each of the wearer's arms, a generally vertically extending opening dividing said front panel into two parts and allowing ingress and egress from said garment; and an aerodynamic hump structure carried on said back panel and defining a ventilation passage extending between ambient and the interior of said garment shell.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said aerodynamic hump structure carries at least one scoop member, said scoop member defining a scoop opening forwardly to receive ram air during forward motion of said garment upon an open-air vehicle, and said scoop member defining a scoop passage communicating with said ventilation passage.
 3. The garment of claim 1 wherein said ventilation passage is divergent in a direction from ambient toward the interior of said garment.
 4. The garment of claim 2 further including a screen member spanning said scoop opening.
 5. The garment of claim 2 wherein said aerodynamic hump structure carries a pair of scoop members in lateral side-by-side array, each scoop member of said pair being forwardly disposed and arranged to receive ram air rounding a respective side of a helmet worn by a wearer of said garment.
 6. The garment of claim 1 wherein said aerodynamic hump structure and said garment shell cooperatively define removable fastening structure for allowing said aerodynamic hump member to be removed from said garment back panel.
 7. The garment of claim 6 wherein said removable fastening structure includes a peripheral slide fastener circumscribing at least a portion of a periphery of said aerodynamic hump structure, and said slide fastener including respective portions securing both to said hump structure and to said garment back panel.
 8. The garment of claim 7 wherein said garment back panel defines a ventilation opening communicating with said ventilation passage and opening into the interior of said garment, and said garment further includes a substantially flat closure member configured similarly to said hump structure in plan view, and said closure member also including removable fastening structure securing to said closure member and cooperable with a portion of said removable fastening structure which secures to said back panel, and allowing said closure member to secure to said back panel in substitution for said hump structure in order to close said ventilation opening of said back panel.
 9. The garment of claim 7 wherein said aerodynamic hump structure includes an outwardly extending flexible peripheral flange, said peripheral flange extending outwardly beyond said slide fastener and in a first position in which said peripheral flange lies substantially parallel with said back panel substantially concealing said slide fastener, said peripheral flange being manually movable resiliently to a second position revealing said slide fastener.
 10. The garment of claim 1 wherein said aerodynamic hump structure is disposed on said back panel immediately behind a wearer's helmet, when a wearer of said garment wears a helmet while upon an open-air motor vehicle such as a motorcycle, said hump structure defining a forwardly disposed surface confronting said helmet and engageable by said helmet in order to offer assisting support to the wearer's head and neck.
 11. The garment of claim 10 wherein said forwardly disposed surface of said aerodynamic hump structure is concave arcuately in order to receive the wearer's helmet in order to offer said assisting support to the wearer's head and neck.
 12. A ventilated coat, said coat comprising: a shell having a front panel and a back panel cooperatively providing a neck opening, and a pair of sleeves one for each of the wearer's arms; said front panel, back panel, and sleeves being formed of a substantially air impermeable material; a generally vertically extending shell opening dividing said front panel into two parts and allowing ingress and egress from said garment; a ventilation structure of said coat including at said back panel an aerodynamic hump structure, said hump structure being disposed on said back panel immediately behind the head of a wearer of said coat, and said hump structure defining a ventilation passage opening between ambient and an interior of said coat in order to allow ventilating air flow along said ventilation passage.
 13. The ventilated coat of claim 12 wherein said shell at said back panel defines a ventilation opening, said ventilation passage communicating with said ventilation opening, and a closure member configured for substitution on said back panel in replacement for said hump structure, said closure member spanning and closing said ventilation opening.
 14. The ventilated coat of claim 12 further said back panel and said hump structure each having cooperable portions of a fastener device, said fastener device including a slide fastener circumscribing a peripheral portion of said hump structure, and said slide fastener allowing said hump structure to be removed from said back panel.
 15. The coat of claim 12 wherein said ventilation passage is divergent in a direction of passage extension between ambient and an interior of said coat.
 16. The coat of claim 12 wherein said hump structure defines a forwardly disposed engagement surface, said engagement surface being arcuate and concave to receive therein and provide supporting engagement for a helmet of a user of said coat.
 17. A method of providing both ventilation to an operator of an open-air sport motor vehicle while said operator is wearing a protective coat, and of providing exigent support to the head and neck of the operator in the event of an accident by providing rear support to a helmet of said operator, said method comprising steps of: providing said coat at a back panel thereof with a hump structure having a forwardly disposed arcuate concave engagement surface disposed sufficiently close to said helmet of the operator that the helmet is engageable with said engagement surface to be supported against excessive rearward movement of the operator's head and neck in an accident, and providing said hump structure with a through ventilation passage opening at an outer end in a forwardly disposed ventilating air flow scoop, and extending inwardly of said coat through said hump structure.
 18. The method of claim 17 further including the step of configuring said ventilation passage to diverge as it extends from ambient toward an interior of said coat.
 19. The method of claim 17 further including the step of configuring said hump structure and said coat back panel to cooperatively allow selective removal and replacement of said hump structure from said coat.
 20. The method of claim 19 including the step of providing a closure member configured to close said ventilation opening when said hump structure is removed from said coat. 